Intruder Targets Hampton Elderly

HAMPTON — The 74-year-old woman was sleeping in bed next to her blind, brown poodle when she awoke to a strange noise and the beam of a flashlight slicing the darkness.

Then she heard an intruder say he wanted money. ``He said if I didn't do what he wanted me to do, he would kill me. I couldn't see nothing,'' the woman recalled.

When she told him that her purse was in the kitchen, he gripped her hand and dragged her. Once there, he pulled the phone out of the wall and took her purse with $60 and credit cards inside.

A month later, in January, he struck her home again.

The elderly woman, who requested anonymity, is the typical target of a cash-hungry intruder who has committed six burglaries and attempted seven others in Hampton, police say. His spree started in December and continues; the most recent incident occurred Saturday. He primarily has targeted homes in three areas, police say: the 1800 block of Shell Road, the 1400 block of West Queen Street and downtown.

In at least three cases, the intruder grabbed, pushed or hit his victims. Police don't believe he carries a weapon.

Police began to suspect that the crimes were linked in late January, when they compared the intruder's methods, locations, times and his preferred victims -elderly women who live alone.

The intruder usually strikes in the early morning darkness, said Hampton Police Lt. Robert S. Williams. Before he enters the house, he snips the telephone lines and cuts the power by tampering with the fuse box, which is on an outside wall in older residences, Williams said.

As a result, his victims see only a vague outline, and police have few clues about the man they are chasing.

Two investigators have been exclusively assigned to the case since December, Williams said, and recently another detective has been offering occasional help.

The intruder often enters through a back door by breaking the locks or smashing glass panes and reaching in, Williams said.

The 74-year-old victim said the intruder ``knocked down'' her back door on his first visit. After that incident, she put extra bolts on the door.

So when he came back, he broke through the front door, she said. This time, it was personal.

``He said, `I told you not to call the police,' '' she said. Then he threatened, ``I'm going to kill you.''

The woman had feared he might return and had placed a large, empty handbag in the kitchen.

When he asked for money, she told him where to get it. As he dragged her to the kitchen, she said he hit her in the face, either with his hand or the flashlight. He yanked out the phone again.

But her decoy worked. He grabbed the handbag and fled without looking inside.

Now, the woman has deadbolt locks on her front and back doors, locks on her windows and two alarm systems. If an intruder tries to enter, an alarm rings and lights go on. As an extra safeguard, neighbors stop by to check on her each morning.

Police recommend that Hampton residents check security systems in their homes and reinforce them if necessary. Residents who would like help evaluating their security systems can call 727-6547, to receive advice from a police officer trained in crime prevention, Williams said.

Police ask anyone with information about the burglaries to call Hampton Crime Line at 722-9800. Police offer rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.

HOME SECURITY TIPS

* Install dead-bolts on all doors.

* Install locks on the windows.

* Keep bright outdoor lights on throughout the night.

* Consider installing a security system.

* Organize a neighborhood watch group.

* If you think someone is trying to enter your home, dial 911 immediately. Even if you don't have time to talk to the police dispatcher, your address will immediately flash onto a computer screen, and an officer will be dispatched to the residence.